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Wednesday, 16 December 2015

We look forward to celebrating our End of Year school mass with you at 6pm tonight. Please assemble at 5:45pm on the Reed Street netball courts. We finish school at 12:35 tomorrow.

Christ the Saviour is born

Christmas Blessings to you all
We wish you all a safe and happy holiday period and look forward to welcoming you back to St Joseph's school on February 1st 2016. There will be an email in January with further details about the new school year.
Thanks to each and every one of you who have supported our Catholic Character school during 2015 as we have aimed high to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.
We wish our Year 8 leavers every blessing as they head off to St Kevin's and look forward to following their progress with interest and pride.
We thank our staff who have worked hard to ensure that your children are Engaged in deep learning for Success.
We thank our Board and Home and School who give up their precious time to support our school. You can read the latest board news on this link. You can "like" the Home and School on their new Facebook Page at this link.

Farewell
We say good bye to Miss Huls who leaves us to become a principal on the West Coast and Mr Moore who is moving to Wanaka. We wish them well in the next stages of their career. Both of them have been with us for three years and we appreciate their commitment and dedication to our school during that time.
We also farewell Mrs Elliott from her role as Reading Recovery teacher and thank her for her commitment during her time at St Joseph's. We are keen to support Mrs Elliott in her private tutoring role and know that she will be able to continue to share her literacy skills in this much needed role.
We thank Miss Rochelle Taylor who has worked in a part time capacity this year and wish her well as she prepares for her wedding. We also thank Mrs McNally for sharing her teaching expertise in Senior Hub 2 this year and wish her well as she looks forward to the arrival of her third child.

FarewellTomorrow we will farewell the following Yr 8 families who will leave St Joseph's. We thank them for their contribution to our school and wish them all the best.- Bleach, Cullimore, Dickie, Haynes, Kunnethedan, McAtamney, Rintoul, Tierney and Wallace.Home and SchoolWe have only had a handful of replies returned for the 2016 Food Fair. Please email the school office with your reply to office@stjoseph.school.nz There is a food fair meeting on Thursday 4th February at 7.30 pm in Ruma Koru.We have started a Facebook page which will keep you informed of any updates of what is happening, meeting dates and requests for help. Go to this link to log on.School LunchesThere will be no school lunches available in week 1 of term 1.School Swimming DatesA reminder about that we will have senior school swimming for years 4-8 on the first Friday back on February 5th February. Monday 8th February is a public holiday (Waitangi Day) and there will be senior swimming on Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th February inclusive.Stationery lists and School ReportsPlease check your child's bag for next years stationery list and school report.Scholastic Book ClubWe are looking for a volunteer to run the Scholastic Book Club as Maria Dickie is stepping down after a few years as her children are finishing school. Thank you for all your valuable time Maria which has been much appreciated. Please leave your name at the office if you are interested.Thursday MassThere is no school mass tomorrow morning and it will resume again next year.Thursday 17th December timeline

Uniform ShopThe shop will be open on Friday 29th January from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and Monday 1st February from 8.30 to 9.00 am. If you require any further information, please ring Adele on 027 434 3338Have a wonderful Christmas and a restful holiday and we look forward to seeing you all in 2016.

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Junior NativityThe junior children presented the story of Christmas during our school mass this morning. It was a beautiful moving event filled with joy and happiness. Thanks to Mrs Brookes and all of the junior staff for helping to make this such a special event as we focus on the birth of Jesus - God's precious gift to all of us.

Christmas Mass Times at the BasilicaRemember to attend mass during the Christmas period and give thanks for your loving families and friends. This year the Christmas Vigil Mass will be Thursday 24th December across the road at 5pm You can join in with Christmas Carols at 4:30 pm. Children are encouraged to dress in costume for this beautiful celebration. Christmas Day Mass will be on Friday 25th December at 9:30 am.Invitation to End of Year School MassWe look forward to seeing all of you join us for our formal finale for the year at 6pm on Wednesday 16th December. This is our final school mass. The children fill the church with beautiful singing and we recognise our Year 8 leavers. This is always a moving occasion.All children are expected to attend in full school uniform and will sit with their classes at the front of the church. They need to assemble by 5:45 pm at the Reed Street end of the school playground to meet with their teachers.House Colours Sports Day tomorrowOur Year 8 House Captains have planned a special event tomorrow for the whole school. Children can come dressed in their house colours or their PE uniform and suitable footwear and will need to bring a gold coin donation for the missions.

The House captains share plans for the Sports Day.

Stationery for 2016We will be trialling a new online option for student's stationery for 2016 through Office Max. Packs will be prepared and delivered to your door. Supporting this option will support the school. The stationery lists and a card with information will be included in your child's reports next Wednesday. You are welcome to buy your stationery at other stationery shops.Board end of year message and reportOur Board of Trustees held their final meeting for the year on Tuesday. I would like to thank our board for their tremendous hard work and support during the year. We will share some of our board news at the end of the year mass as well as further updates on the board blog next week. Based on your feedback, the board will source the fleece option in the maroon colour. The children can continue to wear their jersey. This is the main reason for keeping one maroon colour, instead of having children in maroon jerseys and navy fleeces. Orders for the new fleeces can be made in the office.Items for those in needThanks to those of you who have contributed to the collection for families in need at Christmas time. There is a basket outside the office for this collection. School Council NewsYou can read about the final school council meeting at this link.

Leadership roles for 2016Mr Cartlidge and I were very impressed with the high quality of CV's and letters of application for leadership roles for 2016. These roles will be announced with the help of our departing Year 8 leaders at 11:30 on Thursday 17th December. Special thanks to our year 8 leavers for the way they have stepped into their roles this year.Parent Thank you morning teaWe are fortunate to have so many parents helping us in a number of ways during the year. We would love you to join us for a thank you cuppa from 10:45 to 11:30 on Thursday 17th December. Please feel free to come along to ruma koru and take the opportunity to catch up with each other before the children break up.Final assembly and break upWe will finish at 12:35 pm on Thursday 17th December with a final assembly and carol singing. Please join us as we come together for the final time in 2015. There will be a short newsblog next Wednesday with our holiday news.Private TutoringMrs Lorna Elliott will be finishing with us as Reading Recovery teacher this year. She will be offering her expertise as a literacy tutor. We would like to support Mrs Elliott in this new role and highly recommend her for learning support for your children.

A Jesse tree represents the family tree of Jesus Christ. Each ornament represents a story from the Bible that tells about God's people before Jesus was born.

The tradition of the Jesse tree dates back to the middle ages. The name 'Jesse tree' comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse and a branch from the roots will bear fruit. Jesse is the father of King David. The Saviour was to come from David's family line.

First Sunday of Advent

Our God is Coming!

Stay Awake!

Be Ready!

Second Sunday of Advent

Our God is Coming!

Prepare the Way!

Change Our Lives!

Third Sunday of Advent

Good News for the Poor!

Christ, Our Light, Is Among Us!

Change Our Lives!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

God's Love is Faithful!

Mary Will Give Birth To A Son.

Holy is His Name.

On Sunday 20th December, children from St. Joseph's will be singing carols at 'The Christmas Concert' at Takara Park.
Here are three of the songs the children will be singing.

Altar ServersSaturday 12th December - Joseph & Sebastian Spillane and Maximus FatafehiSunday 13th December - Cameron and Laura Mather, Antonia Black and Sebastian WhistonBirthday Greetings to:Xanthea Moore, Christopher Jorgensen, Sam Asi and Lachlan CriddleBlogThere will be a shortened news blog which will come out next Wednesday.BusesAll bus services will run only in the morning of Thursday 17th December. Parents will need to pick their children up at 12.30 pm on this day.Christmas in the ParkIf any children are interested in attending 'Carols in the Park' where they will sing as a group for 15 minutes on Sunday 20th December from 3.00 to 6.00 pm, please let Mr Cartlidge know. They are to wear their school uniform and to bring a change of clothes for the bouncy castle. Parents are to stay and not drop them off.CongratulationsTo the St Joseph's Dynamos Touch Rugby team who won their Yr 4/5/6 division and to the St Joseph's Pumas who got runner up in the Yr 7/8 division. Many thanks to the coaches who coached the teams and to all the parents who supported them.FoundWe have a collection of children's watches, jewellery, 2 x pair of girls pink glasses and one with a purple case and 2 x pair of adult brown sun glasses. If they are yours, please come and claim them from the office.Home and SchoolA notice has gone home today regarding the Food Fair on Sunday 6th March asking if there are any families who would like to be involved with the fair. They would like help in the following areas:

Making and serving cultural food

Setting up gazebos on the day and/or providing one

Baking cakes for the cake wheel

Music/entertainment

Running an activity

Other suggestions

The first Food Fair meeting will be held in Week 1 on Thursday 4th February. Everyone is welcome. Please fill in the notice and return it to the school office by this Monday 14th December.

New Families for Term 1, 2016We have sent you an email with the link to our school news blog which will have information on it for next year.Piano TuitionThere are vacancies for 2016 on Monday mornings. For further details contact Peter McMullan (piano teacher) on 027 421 1216.School LunchesThis is the last week for school canteen lunches and there will be Thai lunch next Wednesday. Thai lunches will resume again on Wednesday 10th February.Sports DrawTouch Rugby will resume again on Tuesday 16th February and cricket will resume on Saturday 13th February.Cricket - Saturday 12th December4th Grade - St Joseph's v Union at SKC 15th Grade - St Joseph's v Valley at SKC Artificial 2UniformsA reminder that boys going into the Yr 7 class for 2016 wear the long sleeve blue shirt and grey shorts and the girls can wear a kilt.Uniform ShopWould like any donated second hand PE gear, pinafores, jerseys and jackets as their stocks are running low. The shop will be open on Monday 14th December from 2.30 to 3.00 pm, Friday 29th January from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm and Monday 1st February from 8.30 to 9.00 am. If you require any further information, please ring Adele on 027 434 3338.WelcomeWe warmly welcome Isaac Downes-Diack to our new entrants class this week.Community Notices

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
– End of year show for the Victoria Cooper Academy of Dance held at the Oamaru
Opera House on Sunday 13th December at 1.00 pm and 5.00 pm.

Aoraki Polytechnic Certificate of Care and Parenting Course - Have you four mornings a week spare? Are you thinking of returning to study in a supportive environment? Would zero fees interest you? Maybe the idea of acquiring some new skills and exploring theories around caring for and working with infants, school aged children and teens interest you. Then this short 12 week course could be the New Year's challenge for you. Red Cross comprehension first aid is also embedded in this certificate. The times are 9.15 am to 1.00 pm Monday to Thursday and the tutor is Susie Sinclair. Ring 0800 426 725 for further information or pop in for a chat/interview.

Waitaki Twilight Market - Saturday 19th December from 5.00 to 9.00 pm in the Scottish Hall on Tyne Street. Flyer attached to email.

Tennis Camp - for all ages on Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th January. Time is 9.00 am to 10.30 am for 5 to 9 years where they learn ball skills and activities and fundamentals are taught. Venue is Waitaki Girls and costs $20 daily or $55 for 3 days. Intermediate/Advanced 10 yrs and up is from 10.30 to 12.30. Venue is Waitaki Girls and costs $25 daily or $60 for 3 days. Please book online at http://www.northotagotennis.com/coaching/ or call or text Steve on 027 284 9578.

Oamaru Library will once again be running a reading programme over the summer. It runs from December 19th with cards needing to be returned by Monday 1st February 2016 to be eligible for the prize draw.

Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon - Held on Sunday 28th February in Dunedin and Sunday 13th March in Christchurch. Register now on 0800 Weetbix or try.weetbix.co.nz

Yr 7 & 8 Social
Last Friday the Yr 7 & 8 had their annual social where the theme was black tie dinner. The Yr 8's had a sit down meal supplied by the Home and School and were later joined by the Yr 7's. A big thank you to Mrs Asi who taught them formal dancing and to everyone else who helped make the night a success. A great time was had by all.

Thursday, 3 December 2015

Faith, Hope and Love and a reminder to keep Christ in Christmas were the themes of the St Patrick's Catholic Parish float in the recent Christmas Parade. The joy of our St Joseph's staff and students on the float and the crowds lined along the main street in Oamaru were all captured in several short video vignettes. You can access these and read more by going to this link.

St Joseph's teachers Megan Day & Paul Cartlidge on the parish float

Looking Ahead to 2016

In 2015 we actively created learning spaces for deeper engagement in learning. We developed our Engaging Learning Spaces (ELS's) based on our school wide goal: To engage in deep learning for success. We have the flexibility to utilise our spaces to best suit the needs of our learners across the school. We will continue to review and refine our ELS's based on feedback and continued active reflection as we enthusiastically move forward into 2016.

Thanks to those of you who have given feedback on the merino and polar fleece jerseys. Some of you have asked about the reason for the change. At the Board Survey from the end of last year, many parents felt the woollen jersey had become too expensive and more and many children are sensitive to the wool and unable to wear it. This change is in response to your requests. The board will make an informed decision based on your responses this Tuesday night at the final board meeting for the year. Please email or phone the office with regards to your choice of garment and colour.

Basketball/netball hoops

We are pleased to announce that we have been allocated a grant from Youthtown to cover the cost of four new basket ball/netball hoops. The funds raised from the Yr 7 student raffle will contribute to the installation costs. Thanks to Youthtown for their support in helping us to upgrade our playground for our children.Transition AfternoonNext Thursday from 1:45 pm, the children will spend time with their teachers for 2016. Mrs Misiloi has given up her time to meet the New Entrant children this week. Miss Lind and Miss O'Malley will both be at school for the transition afternoon.Home and School Thank you

Special thanks to our hardworking Home and School team who held their final meeting for 2015 this week. Thank you to all of them for showing us how to Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.

A Jesse tree represents the family tree of Jesus Christ. Each ornament represents a story from the Bible that tells about God's people before Jesus was born.

The tradition of the Jesse tree dates back to the middle ages. The name 'Jesse tree' comes from Isaiah 11:1, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse and a branch from the roots will bear fruit. Jesse is the father of King David. The Saviour was to come from David's family line.

Each day at Koutuitui the Special Character leaders will share some of these stories with the school. The Jesse Tree will also be part of the children's Religious Education over the next few weeks.